Majdedin Ghalavand - PhD student, Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hadi Esmaeili-Gouvarchin-Ghaleh - Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Majid Mirzaei-Nodooshan - Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Soheil Vazifedost - Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh - Associate Professor, Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center AND Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

and its progression, including free radicals, hypertension, diabetes, genetic changes, hypercholesterolemia, and even some microorganisms such as herpes viruses and chlamydia. Therefore, compounds that can be effective in any of the above cases may be considered as a useful therapeutic agent in the process of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Pistacia atlantica gum hydro-alcoholic extract on macrophage phagocytosis ability and development of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rats.METHODS: The statistical population of the present study consisted of ۲۵ rats that were randomly divided into ۵ groups (one control group under standard diet, ۴ treatment groups under high-fat diet). After consumption of high-fat food for ۴۵ days, the treatment groups orally received ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۴۰۰ mg/kg of Pistacia atlantica gum hydro-alcoholic extract for ۳۰ days. Then, peritoneal macrophages were isolated and blood samples were collected to measure the level of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG). P ˂ ۰.۰۵ was considered significant in all evaluations.RESULTS: The level of cholesterol (۵۰۳.۶۶ ± ۱۷.۱۵), TG (۴۳۶.۶۶ ± ۱۶.۸۰), LDL-C (۳۴۳.۶۶ ± ۱۱.۵۹), HDL-C (۵۴.۳۳ ± ۷.۰۲), and NBT (۰.۶۴ ± ۰.۰۲) decreased in the treatment groups. Besides, exactly in a concentration-dependent manner, plant extract significantly reduced the level of respiratory potential level in macrophages.CONCLUSION: Hydro-alcoholic extract of Pistacia atlantica gum could effectively decrease hypercholesterolemia and increase phagocytic ability of macrophages. Therefore, it can be suggested for more investigation as a blockage of atherosclerosis.

Pistacia atlantica gum, Atherosclerosis, Macrophage Ability, Hypercholesterolemic Rats